Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

21 Penalties, forfeitures etc. E+W

[F1 (1) Subject to subsection (5), a person guilty of an offence under any of sections 1 to 13 or section 17 shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.]

(4) A person guilty of an offence under section 14 [F2 or 14ZA] shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, [F3 to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both];

(b) on conviction on indictment, [F3 to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both].

[F4 (4A) F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6 (4AA) Except in a case falling within subsection (4B) a person guilty of an offence under section 19XB(1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.]

(4B) A person guilty of an offence under [F7 section 19XB(1)(a) or (2)(a)] in relation to a wildlife inspector [F8 entering premises to ascertain whether an offence under section 14 or 14ZA is being or has been committed] shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4C) A person guilty of an offence under section [F9 19XB(4)] shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.

(4D) F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(5) Where an offence to which subsection (1) F11 . . . applies was committed in respect of more than one bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing, the maximum fine which may be imposed under that subsection shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each bird, nest, egg, animal, plant or thing.

(6) The court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Part—

(a) shall order the forfeiture of any bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing in respect of which the offence was committed; and

(b) may order the forfeiture of any vehicle, animal, weapon or other thing which was used to commit the offence and, in the case of an offence under section 14 [F12 or 14ZA] , any animal or plant which is of the same kind as that in respect of which the offence was committed and was found in his possession.

(7) Any offence under this Part shall, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction, be deemed to have been committed in any place where the offender is found or to which he is first brought after the commission of the offence.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 21(1) substituted for s. 21(1)-(3) (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 10(2)(6)

F2 Words in s. 21(4)(6)(b) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 105(1), 107, Sch. 11 para. 73(1); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 21(4)(a)(b) substituted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 9 para. 10(3)(a)(b)(6)

F4 S. 21(4A)-(4D) inserted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 10(4)(6)

F5 S. 21(4A)(4D) omitted (31.5.2006) by virtue of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F6 S. 21(4AA) inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(3); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F7 Words in s. 21(4B) substituted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(4)(a); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F8 Words in s. 21(4B) substituted (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(4)(b); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F9 Words in s. 21(4C) substituted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F10 S. 21(4A)(4D) omitted (31.5.2006) by virtue of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F11 Words in s. 21(5) repealed (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 102, 103(2), Sch. 9 para. 10(5)(6), Sch. 16 Pt. IV

F12 Words in s. 21(4)(6)(b) inserted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 105(1), 107, Sch. 11 para. 73(1); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 21(4AA)-(4C) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 7-11; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

21 Penalties, forfeitures etc. S

[F13 (1) Subject to subsection (5), a person guilty of an offence under any of sections 1 to 13 [F14 , 15A, 17, 19ZC (other than an offence under section 19ZC(7) in relation to a wildlife inspector acting in exercise of the power conferred by section 19ZC(3)(d)) or 19ZD] shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.]

(2) F15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) F15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A person guilty of an offence under section 14 [F16 or 14A] shall be liable—

[F17 (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the [F18 £40,000] , or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.]

[F19 (4A) A person guilty of an offence under section 19ZC(7) in relation to a wildlife inspector acting in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3)(d) of that section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.]

(5) Where an offence to which subsection (1), F20 . . . applies was committed in respect of more than one bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing, the maximum fine which may be imposed under that subsection shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each bird, nest, egg, animal, plant or thing.

(6) The court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Part—

(a) shall order the forfeiture of any bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing in respect of which the offence was committed; and

(b) may order the forfeiture of any vehicle, animal, weapon or other thing which was used to commit the offence and, in the case of an offence under section 14 [F21 or 14A] , any animal or plant which is of the same kind as that in respect of which the offence was committed and was found in his possession.

(7) Any offence under this Part shall, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction, be deemed to have been committed in any place where the offender is found or to which he is first brought after the commission of the offence.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 21(1) substituted (S.) (26.3.2003) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 6(a)

F14 Words in s. 21(1) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 19(a); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2

F15 S. 21(2)(3) repealed (S.) (26.3.2003) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 6(b)

F16 Words in s. 21(4) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 19(b)(i); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2

F17 S. 21(4)(a)(b) substituted (S.) (26.3.2003) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 6(c)

F18 Words in s. 21(4)(a) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 19(b)(ii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2

F19 S. 21(4A) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 19(c); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2

F20 Words in s. 21(5) repealed (S.) (26.3.2003) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 6(d)

F21 Word in s. 21(6)(a) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 19(d); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2